Coin-collector.



E. B. CRAFT & A. F. DIXON.

COIN COLLECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2, 1907.

Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

3 BEEETSB HIIET 1.

E. B. CRAFT & A. F. DIXON.

COIN COLLECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV 2, 1907.

1,041,030. Patented 001;. 15, 1912.

3 SHEETSBHEET 2.

v .fizveaiora' H I (1/ 1/ (If/ 0t (i/06 7mm? 6110a 72;

E. B. CRAFT & A. F. DIXON.

COIN COLLECTOR.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 2, 1907. 1,041,030.

Patented Oct 15, 1912.

3 SHEETS*SHEET 3- 'rn s'ra r nsiagrnnr orrion.

EDWARD B. CRAFT AND AMOS F. DIXON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO Specification of Letters Patent.

.OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF COIN-COLLECTOR.

Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

Application filed November 2, 1907. Serial No. 400,406.

Our invention relates to a coin collector for telephone pay stations, and its object is to provide apparatus which will be adapted for use as either a local or a toll coin-collcctcr, aiid which will relieve the toll opera tor of drag.

Our invention contemplates a coin collector in which the deposit of a coin of predetermined "ze is required of a subscriber in order to signal the central otlice, and in which, if the call is for a toll connection, means are provided for operating signals to inform the central otiice operator of the character of the coin depcsited in payment for-such toll connection. .Yhcthcr the call be for a local connection or for a toll connection, our invention provides means whereby the coin or coins deposited are under the control of the subscribersoperator, and may be deposited in the cash box or returned, in the usual manner.

()ur invention is preferably embodied in connection with the mechanism similar to that illustrated in patent to Edward B. Craft, No. 867,707, dated October 8th, 1907. The means for o 'ierating signals to inform the central office operator of the character of the coin deposited is also substantially the same as that shown in Letters Patent to Frank R. ivicllcrt-y and Howard B. Holmes, No. Slob-")0, issued March 12, .1907.

,ll'e will describe our invention by reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the 'Pl'O'fCllCd embodiment thereof,

and the particular parts, improvements or combinations which ve consider as novel, and of which we are the oint inventors, will be set forth in the appended claims.

Figure l is a front elevation of the coin collector of our invention, with the cover in section; Fig. 2 is a view showing the coin chute in rear elevation, also showing in section portions of the casing upon which the chute is supported and the polarized electroture of the polarized magnet is shown in its normal nnopcrated position for retaining coins in a cup in which theyare temporarily deposited upon passing from the coin chute; Figs. 3 and 4- are detailed views of certain parts illustrated in Fig. 3, showing the armature of the polarized magnet in position to deposit and to refund, respectively, coins held in the coin receiving cup; Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a detail front view of the coin chute, with its front wall removed; Fi 7 is a sectional view on the line 7.-'7 of Fig. 6; and Fig; 8 is a detailed perspective view of the tilting cup-bottom.

Similar letters of reference are used to designate similar parts wherever shown.

The temporary coin carrier 1 is mounted upon a rocking shaft 2, 'which is adapted to be actuated through the mediumof the operating handle 3 to move the coin-carrier forward, so that a coin held in saidcarrier will be dropped into the mouth or opening 4 of the coin chute 5. Below the mouth 4 of the coin chute 5 is a lever Ocentrally pivoted at the rear of the coin chute. The forward end of the lever 6 passes through a slot 7 in the walls of the coin chute, and projects beyond the front wall thereof in position to be engage 1, when depressed, by a springpressed catch or dog 8. The forwardly projecting end of the lever 6 is normally held in an elevated position by the tension of the spring 9, forming one of a pair of contact springs 9, 10.

The fall ofa-coin upon the lever 6 is normally blocked by an obliquely disposed stop or guide 11, so that when said stop is in p osition a-c'oin will be deflected to one side In the passageway, shown at the left in Fig. 6, leading to the cup 12 and will pass into the cup 12 without contacting with the lever 6. \Vhen said stop is withdrawn, in a manner hereinafter described, a coin held in the carrier 1 will in its fall strike the projecting end of the lever 6 and depress the same, whereupon the end of said lever will be en gaged by the dog 8 and held in its depressed position.

The lever 6 when engaged holds the contact springs 9, 10, closed. Said contacts control the usual line signaling circuit, and by their closure indicate to the central office operator, in a manner well understood, that a connection is desired.

a toll,connection is desired, thesubscriber by the catch 8 is informed by the operator as to the addi tional amount to be deposited in payment for such service. Meanwhile the lever 6 is held locked, and it is immaterial What denomination of coins, within the limits for" Wardly from the same. A spring 15 tends to operate the lever 18 so as to Withdraw the stop lhbut such movement of the lever is normally blocked by the engagement of the cam surface of the plate let with an extension 16 of a caliper lever 17,

The coin carrier 1 has an opening in one I of its side Walls, through which a coin held in said carrier may project. During the advance movement of said carrier, said coin engages the curved arm 18 of the caliper lever 1?, the extent of displacement. of said lever depending upon the diameter of the coin. A coin held in the carrier is not leas therefrom until it has passed below the arm 18 that is not until. the cah i lever 17 has been moved to the utmost tent that a coin of such. operate the same.

As the lever 1*! is moved to the left, a depression 19 on t cam face of the plate 1 1 permits sal plate and the lever 13 to spring bacltwardliv "thus Withdrawing the op from the coin chute. .If the coin is such denomination, as "for exau'iple, a live :ent piece. as will finally set the lever 17 the position that will permit such Withdraval of the stop 11, the coin Will fall from the carrier upon the lever 6 and dethe same, as hereinh Coins of lesser or of greater diameter Will not so set the lever 17, and. hence such coins will he deflected into the cup 12 Without contacting with the lever 65. The above described mechanism for effecting the with; drawal of the stop 11 lay a coin of predeter mined size is substantially the same asthat disclosed in the above mentioned patent of Edward B. Craft.

The cup 12 which constitutes a receptacle,

into which all coins are first temporarily deposited after leaving; the carrier 1, has a bottom adapted to he tilted by a polarized electromagnet 2.5. in one or the other direction, therebydepositing the coins in the cash box or refundingthe some. The bottom of the cup 12 comprises a 20, hinged at one side upon the pivot provided With a gate 24 pivoted at upon the side of the frame opposite the hinge 23. The under carries a cam plate 14: which projects rea-r tore descriheda net 21 and extending underneath the bottom of the cup 12.. When the lug 26 rests upon the arm 27, as shown in F 1, 2 and 7, the bottom of the cup is closed so as tohold the coins therein. The armature 28 is pivoted arid normally held in its central position in the usual manner, and When tilted in either direction Withdraws the arm 27 from beneath the lug 26. When the armature is tilted in the direction shown in 3, the arm 27 is moved beneath L" 2 on the frame 20, thereby supporting: 3 i. permitting the gate 24- to drop down thus depositing the coins in the cash hex 29. llhen the armature is tiltedv in the opposite direction, as indicated in Fig 4-, the bottom of the cup swings on the l'iinge 23, therebv directing the coins into the refund chute 2-6. v The dog or catch 8 forms one end of a bellcrank lever 31', the other end of. which normally rests in a 32 provided upon "the upper surface of an extension of the armature 2R. i l hen ihe armature is tilted in either direction the lever 31 rides out of the groove 352 thereby withdrawing the dog so as to releasc the le er oi-whereupr contacts etu'rtrolled hy the spring 9 opened.

Although the coin-collector of our invention is not limited to use with particular system. We prefer to illustrate its operation as used in connection with a svstein wherein toll connections are made by tie subscribers o 'ierator. Briefly, the operation under these eonditihns is as tollo'Ws:The subscriber (lo-hiring; a connection. either local'or toll, de posits a nickel in the coin slot and then pulls down the lever 3 therehvdepositing the nickel in the coin; iuplQ. Said nickel in its passage through the coin chute 5 operates the lever 63. so as to lock the same beneath the catch'di with the contact springs 9, it) closed, thus lighting the usual line lamp at the central oliice. if the call is for a local connection the coin will he released from the cup 12 so asto he deposited or refunded, according towhether or not the desired connection, is secured. ll the call is for a toll connection, the operator will request the call lnL party to deposit the required amount of toll charges. This thesuhscriber may do liy depositing; a coin or coins of the denomination or denominations with which the collector is constructed to operate all or" which coins Will pass into the cup 12. If the connection is secured, the operator will send current of proper polarity through the electro-mae'net 21 to .tilt the gate 2 in a direction to deposit all the coins in the cash box. It the connection ,e'annot he secured, the

operator will send'a reverse current through :tra me, but

1. In a coin collector for a telephone system, the combination with a coin-chute, of a pivoted lever having an arm projecting in the path of a coin passingthrough said chute, said lever being thereby adapted to be operated by a coin striking said arm in its passage through said chute, contacts con-.

trolled by said lever, a cup for receiving and simultaneously holding tentatively a plurality of coins deposited in the coin-chute after they have passed beyond said arm, a polarized electromagnet, and an armature therefor arrangedwhen tilted to depositoz" to refund the coins held in said cup.

2. In a coin collector for a telephone system, the combination with a coin-chute, of a pivoted lever having an arm projec ing in the. path of a coin passi g through said chute, said'lever being thereby adapted-to be operated by a coin striking said arm in its passage through said chute, a catch for holding said lever in its operated position, contacts controlled by said lever,'a cup for receiving coins deposited in the coin-chute,

a polarized electromagnet, an armature therefor arranged when tilted to deposit or to refund the coins held in said cup, and

means for releasing said lever upon the. tilting of said armature.

3. In a coin-collector for a telephone system, a movable coin carrier, a coin chute arranged to receive a coin from said receptacle, a cup arranged to receive a coin-from' said coin chute, line signaling mechanisnr arranged to be operated by a coin contacting therewith in its passage through said chute, a guide normally deflecting a coin from said signaling mechanism, means controlled by a deposited coin of a predetermined size, in the movement of said carrier, for withdrawing said guide to permit the contact of said ,coin with said signaling mechanism, and

means for refunding or depositing a coin collected in said cup.

t. In a combined local and toll coin collector for a telephone, a coin carrier, tollindicating mechanism arranged to be operated by a coin deposited in said carrier, a cup, a coin chute arranged to receive a coin from said carrier and direct it into said cup, line-signaling ,mechanism arranged to be operated by acoin contacting therewith in its passage through said chute, a movable guide normally deflecting a coin'from said line-si naling mechanism, means controlled by said toll-indicating mechanism for governing the interposition of said guide, and means for depositing or refunding the coin or coins collected in said cup.

5. In a coin-collector. for a telephone system, the cmnbination with a coin-chute, of a cup for receiving coins from said chute, said cup having a pivoted bottom arranged to tilt in either of two directions and thereby to deposit or to refund said coins, line sig naling mechanism arranged to be operated by a coin contacting therewith in its passage through said chute, and electromagnetically controlled means for tilting the bottom of said cup in either direction.

(3. In a coin-collector for a telephone system, the combination with a coin-chute and line signaling mechanism arranged therein to be actuated by a coin deposited in said chute, of a cup for receivingvcoihs from said chute said cup being provided with a bottom comprising a frame pivoted at one side and a gate fitting within said fr: me and hinged thereto opposite the pivoted side of the frame, means for supporting said bottom in position to retain the coins within said cup, and means for removing the supporting means in a direction to permit either said frame to swingnpon its pivots or said gate to swing upon its hinges and thereby to either refund or deposit the coins collected in said cup.

7. In a coin-collector for a telephone system, the combination with a coin-chute and line-signaling mechanism arranged therein to be actuated by a coin deposited in said chute, of a cup for receiving coins from said chute, said cup being provided with a bottom comprising a frame pivoted at one side and a gate fitting within said frame and hinged thereto opposite the pivoted side of the frame, a lug projecting downward from said gate, a polarized electromagnet having an armature. arranged to be tilted in either of two'directions, and an arm' extending from said armature beneath said cup and upon-which said lug normally rests in position to close the bottom of said cup.

8. In a coin collector for a telephone system, the combination with a coinechute, of

a pivoted lever having an arm projecting in the path of a coin passing through said" chute, said lever being ther by adapted to be operated by a com striking said arm in its passage through said chute, a catch for mature beneath. said cup and upon Which said lug normally rests in position to close the bottom of said cup, and means for releasing said lover upon the tilting of said armature.

v9. In a coin collector for a telephone sys tem, the combination with a coin chute, of line signaling mechanism arranged to be operated by a coin in its passage through said chute, a receptacle adapted to receive and hold a plurality of coins of varying denominations delivered by said chute, and electroniagnetically controlled means for deposit ing or refunding the coin or coins in said receptacle. y

10. In a coin collector for telephone sys tems, the combination with a coin chute, of line signaling mechanism arranged to be op erated by a coin in its passage through said ZOichute, a receptacle adapted to receive a d hold a plurality of coins of varying denominotions after they have passed said signal-' ing mechanism, and electromagnetically controlled means for depositing or refund-V mg the coin or come 111 said receptacle;

11. In a coin collector for a telephone systom, the combinat on wlth acoln chute, of are'ceptacle for receivlngironi said. chute and temporarily holding aplurality of coins O).

varying denominations, line signaling mechanism arranged to be operated by a coin contacting therewith in its passage through said chute, means for permitting only coins of a predetermined denomination to contact with said signaling mechan'lsin, and means for simultaneously depositing or refunding coins collected in said receptacle.

12. in a coin collector for a telephone system, the combination with a coin chute, of

40 a receptacle for receiving from said chute and temporarily holding a plurality of coins of varyingdenominations, line signal ing mechanism arranged to be operated by a coin contacting therewith in its passage throu h said chute a movable uide norg a g mally deflecting a coin from said line-Sig naling mechanism, means controlled hy a coin of a predetermined denomination for Withdrawing said guide, and electromag 5 netically operated means for simultaneously depositing or refunding coins collected in said receptacle.

13. In a coin collector for a telephone sys- .tem, the coifihination with a coin-chute, or a 5 pivoted lever ,having an arm projecting in the path of a coin passing through chute, said lever being thereby adapted to be operated by said coin, contacts controlled by said lever, a catch cooperating with said lever" to control said contacts, a receptacle nocnoso coin for controlling the circuit of which said connections form a part, and coin-controlled signal means 0 erable independently of the coin operated circuit controlling means.

15, A telephone pay station having coincontrolled means for causing the action of a Warning signal, and coin-operated signal means active independently of said firstmentioned means.

16, A. telephone pay station having dis tinct means for operating signal, and independent coin-opc'reted means for causing the action of of different characters.

l7 A teleshonc pay station having dis tinct for op Wing a signal, indcpendent coin-opere.v a means for causing the emotion signals of different characters by coins of dirierent denominations, a device to temporally retain the coins after they have operated said signals, and means for releasing the coins thus retained.

, 18. A telephone pay station comprising means for effecting the action of a Warning signal, c operated for producing signals or" diiiferent characters separate from the Warning signal, means "for supporting agroup of the coins, and means operable at will for eiiecting the positive dis l "'ge of the coins from supporting TDQWDS.

19. In a telephone pay station, circuit connections, means operable by the not a subscriber for controlling the circuit of which said connections form a part, for forwarding coins ofdiiierent denominations, means actuated by the coins, for causing the operation of different kinds of sig nals, a device to receive several coins, and means for slo Ding said device to cause the movement of the coins in dilierent directions.

20. In a telephone pay station, a device for simultaneously receiving several coins of different denominations, and means :for operating said device to cause the discharge of said coins therefrom in diiierent directions,

hone pay station, a device aneously receive and sup, ily oicoinsoi difierent denon1ivice being opera is to direct "ent direo port a p' nations, the coins carried thereby in d ticns.

92. in a telephone pay station, means to; forwarding coins of different denominations, means to receive simultaneously several of such coins, and meansi'or causing said coins to take different paths. 23. In a telephone pay station, a device to simultaneously receive coins-of different denominations, means for forwarding such llll coins to said device, signal means Operable by the coins, and means for operating said device to ,cause the coins thereon to take dltferent paths.

24. In a telephone pay station, a device adapted to simultaneously receive and support a plurality of coins of-..difl'erent denominations, and means to simultaneously cause the coins thereon to simultaneously all denominations in superimposed relation, and

means for causing all the coins to take one path or all of them to take a different path at- Will.

ously, and means to cause the coins to travel one path or a difi'erent path at will, after the same have been received by said device.

28. In a telephone pay station, means for forwarding coins of different denominations, signal means 0 rable by the coins to produce signals 0 ditl'ercnt characters, a device to simultaneously receive several of the coins after the operation of the signal means, and means to cause all the coins to travel one path or a different path at will.

In witness whereof We hereunto subscribe our names this 28th day of October, A. D.,

C. G. STOTT, J. J LYNG.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

